Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 2014 Car Auto Review
Suzuki X Auto
The SX4 S-Cross is a Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti rival that may have slipped under your radar if you are in the market for a crossover. But it is definitely worth considering if you want SUV style, practicality and four-wheel drive character. Most compact SUV cabins have a slick, youthful feel about them, the S-Cross on the other hand, although it is still neat and tidy, lacks a bit of excitement. The cabin is however very comfortable and certainly feels spacious. Standard kit on every S-Cross model includes air-con, USB connectivity and cruise control – you will have to go another trim up to get Bluetooth though. We have the flagship SZ5 trim which comes with DAB digital radio, rear parking camera, comfortable leather seats and this snazzy panoramic sunroof, which splashes some light through the car. There are plenty of pros and cons about space in the rear.
Pros include great leg room and a reclining feature, making long trips more relaxing. Cons on the other hand include cramped headroom, mainly due to the installed sunroof, and a lack of elbow room for the middle passenger. The Skoda Yeti is a better all-rounder in this department. Boot space in the S-Cross is surprisingly generous, offering 430 litres thanks to the removable floor – that is the same size as the Nissan Qashqai. Fold the seats down and you get 875 litres as well as a nice flat loading surface. As the S-Cross is based on the swift supermini, it gets a fairly stiff suspension, this is great when venturing into corners as there is very little body roll, but it gives you a bit of a rumble over bumps.
Steering is a bit light, but this is the norm with crossovers, and it makes up for this as it is direct. There are two engines available, a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel. We are testing the diesel unit, which is quite loud low down the gears but hushed at higher speeds. It produces 118bhp and also delivers a decent amount of thrust, reaching 62mph in 13 seconds. It is fairly efficient as well, returning an average of around 60mpg and emitting 114g/km of CO2. One of its main talking points is its ALL-Grip four-wheel drive capability. This comes with four driving modes, including Auto, Snow, Sport and Lock, the latter acting as an all-out off-roading mode.
We have taken it on a few dirt tracks and the S-Cross is very competent and I would be more than confident pushing it to its limits in the real rough stuff. The four-wheel drive capabilities of the S-Cross are a massive asset in the crossover segment, with most rivals sending power to just the front wheels. The S-Cross is also cheaper than competition like the Qashqai and Yeti. But what do you think of the S-Cross?
